ABC is Florida’s largest professional management association of commercial, industrial and institutional general contractors, specialty contractors, associates and suppliers.
Ranked by the U.S. Congress among the most influential organizations in the country, ABC was founded on and remains committed to our three-fold mission of safety and skills training, government and political affairs, and business development.
The House and Senate are in this week, with the House beginning their public hearings on their impeachment inquiry against the president. In the meantime, talks resume this week to avoid a government shutdown in 10 days, and if Congress is to ratify the USMCA, progress needs to be made soon.
USMCA:
ABC will be sending a support letter to members of the U.S. House and Senate in support of the USMCA tomorrow morning. The trade deal is estimated to add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create approximately 176,000 new jobs. ABC believes the USMCA will help to ensure certainty in the supply chain and reduce volatility in pricing for building materials from Mexico and Canada to further lift the economy, support more projects and help address the much-needed modernization of our nation’s infrastructure.
In comments to reporters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that “We’re on a path to yes, and I think every day brings us closer to agreement,” but gave no certain timeline for a vote in the House. Trump administration officials have become increasingly concerned that time is running out for a vote on the agreement this year and that it won’t be possible to consider during the election year in 2020.
Appropriations Update:
With only 10 days left before a government shutdown, Congressional leaders and the White House agree they will need another three or four weeks to conclude negotiations on 12 annual spending bills, and are likely to pass a stopgap funding bill that would last until Dec. 13 or Dec. 20.
The House has passed 10 of the 12 annual spending bills that fund the federal government, while the Senate has passed only four, and the two chambers have not resolved differences over defense and non-defense discretionary funding and funding for the president’s border wall.
Immigration Update:
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s 2017 decision to end President Obama’ s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, which granted qualified immigrants temporary residency and work privileges for more than 700,000 young undocumented immigrants. Approximately 84,000 DACA recipients work in the construction industry. A court opinion is expected in July.
King Retirement:
Republican Congressman from New York Pete King announced his decision to not seek reelection, leaving the open seat as likely competitive for Democrats in 2020. King has been the dean of the NY GOP delegation, serving in the House for 14 terms. King is the 19th Republican to announce retirement before the 2020 elections.
While the majority of bills that passed this session have yet to be delivered to the Governor for his final consideration and signature, we wanted to take a moment to send you the attached report – a final look at ABC’s Legislative Priorities, other bills of interest to the industry, what passed, what didn’t, what to lookout for, and who our Legislative Champions are from this session.
As “The Voice of Commercial Construction” in Florida, we take pride in advocating on your behalf and on behalf of our entire industry. We hope you find this report helpful.
Find your Florida House Member
Carol Bowen, ABC Chief Lobbyist
3730 Coconut Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Coconut Creek, FL 33066
cbowen@abceastflorida.com
Robert Stuart
Chris Carmody
GrayRobinson
Find ABC Chapters across the nation here.
Visit the ABC of Florida website for more information.
© 2019 — Central Florida Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.